#85 BUY THIS, NOT THAT... The 'healthy ketchup' tempting nutritionists, social media's hair obsession and an app for dreamy sleep

The much-loved Well, Actually... newsletter spin-off series—that's all about ensuring your money is well spent—is back for the month of February...

Welcome back to my Buy This, Not That newsletter spin-off, which drops monthly.

As a health and wellness journalist—who has had the good fortune to sample numerous new launches and cult classics across the nutrition, fitness, tech, beauty and mental wellbeing spaces over the years—I often get asked what I’d actually spend my own money on. Because, for all the life-changing products out there that stand up to their claims, there are just as many buzzy buys whose glowing promises for helping the mind and body are as substantial as a puff of ashwagandha.

You can read the previous instalment of the series here (which reveals whether you really need dedicated trainers for running, if ‘natural Ozempic’ is a thing and whether colostrum is the next supplement to add to your roster). But without further ado, let me—and some brilliant experts—help your cash flow a bit better in fresh ways…

1. ‘Gut health’ ketchup

Credit: Sainsbury’s

The basics?

We all know someone (or are that person) who can’t let a main meal pass by without slathering it in a condiment. More often than not, it’s tomato ketchup—with Heinz alone reportedly needing to produce 1.8 million bottles a day to satisfy global tastebuds. However, while the popular sauce may be ‘flavoured’ with a vegetable (or fruit, to be mega accurate), it’s long been known that it’s the not the most nutritious addition to your plate.

Which is why a steady stream of 'healthy ketchup’ alternatives have been launched onto the market in recent years. One such product, Vadasz Kimchi Ketchup, caught my eye when it arrived on UK supermarket shelves in September. It has the description ‘naturally fermented’ and ‘live cultured’ on the label, indicating that it’s very much promoting itself as gut health-adjacent (a lucrative wellness industry off-shoot).

But it’s also positioning itself as a better option in other ways too. A 250ml bottle contains less than 2g sugar, compared to the 78g found in ‘the average bottle of ketchup’, says Vadasz. However, at £4.50 it’s significantly pricier than 300ml of Heinz that costs £2, making me think of the recent study (covered in my latest Monthly Medicine) that revealed nutritious meals are twice as expensive per calorie.

What the health?

So, let’s get stuck in. ‘If you’re a regular ketchup consumer then, yes, replacing your bottle of Heinz for this from Vadasz is certainly a better option for gut health,’ says Pippa Groves, a nutritionist and gut health specialist. ‘However the reasons this small but positive swap may be a good move might not be quite what you think.

‘What’s brilliant is that it contains less sugar, which is a win for gut health in general, since this promotes the growth of inflammatory microbes. It’s also got nearly 4g of fibre per 100g thanks to the cabbage, carrot and spring onions—which will act as prebiotics for beneficial bacteria.’

Groves continues: ‘Vadasz also states that their Kimchi Ketchup is not pasteurised, meaning live bacteria are likely still present. While it certainly won’t offer the same probiotic gut-friendly punch as eating a portion of actual kimchi, it does suggest you’re getting some beneficial microbes—a rarity in the world of condiments.’

Similarly, nutritionist Lucia Stansbie—who has herself been tempted to pick up a bottle—agrees that it’s a good move. ‘It could be a great way to introduce fermented foods into your diet if you are not so keen on eating them on their own due to texture or simply not knowing how to incorporate them,’ she notes. ‘The only downside of this specific product is that it is quite high in salt, so I would enjoy it sparingly.’

Anything else?

Just remember, a dollop of Kimchi Ketchup isn’t enough on its own when it comes to gut health—and tucking into the real deal would be better still. ‘Proper fermented kimchi is packed with live probiotics that can support gut diversity, digestion and immune function,’ notes Groves. ‘Homemade is even better, since shop-bought versions can be pasteurised, which kills off beneficial bacteria.’

Groves continues: ‘If you're up for making it yourself, you’ll get a rich source of Lactobacillus bacteria, plus a dose of gut-friendly prebiotic fibre from ingredients like garlic and cabbage. You can also get creative with different flavours and spices.’ Picking it up from a supermarket? Look for ‘unpasteurised’ or ‘live cultures’ on the label, and opt for a product with no artificial preservatives or stabilisers, that has minimal added sugar and needs to be kept in the fridge.

‘It is healthy to eat kimchi regularly, but I would rotate in different fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, yogurt and miso to provide various bacteria and not just some strains,’ advises Stansbie. ‘I would also introduce them slowly into your diet if you are not used to having them.’

There are likewise plenty of other gut-friendly habits to get into. ‘Let’s not forget the basic of 30g of fibre per day,’ emphasises Stansbie. Diversity is likewise key. ‘The gut microbiome thrives on variety—so consume a range of vegetables, legumes, fruits, herbs, spices, whole grains, nuts and seeds,’ adds Groves. Keeping ultra-processed foods to a minimum and chewing your food properly will further help support your digestive system.

Well, Actually…verdict: While great gut health is clearly built on stronger foundations than an upgraded condiment, this sauce isn’t a terrible place to start.

2. Hair growth serum

Credit: Chāmpo